Model Jury Instructions Research Guide

Table of Contents

1. Wisconsin
2. Illinois
3. Internet Access to State Jury Instructions
4. Federal
5. Internet Access to Federal Jury Instructions
6. Topical

Before jurors begin their deliberations, the judge instructs them as to the applicable law. Attorneys have the opportunity to propose specific instructions in advance, and some judges require the attorneys to submit proposed instructions. There are different sets of model instructions (sometimes also called "pattern," "standard," "approved," or "uniform" instructions) for use in state and federal courts, as well as different sets for civil and criminal actions. Sets have also been developed for some specific causes of actions. Some examples include:

Wisconsin

• Wisconsin Jury Instructions, Children
  Print: KFW 2942.W57 (Ready Reference/Reserve)
• Wisconsin Jury Instructions, Civil
  Print: KFW 2983.A6 W57 (Ready Reference/Reserve)
• Wisconsin Jury Instructions, Criminal
  Print: KFW 2942.A6 W57 (Ready Reference/Reserve)

Illinois

• Illinois Pattern Jury Instructions, Civil
  Location: KFI 1742.A872
• Illinois Pattern Jury Instructions, Criminal
  Location: KFI 1783.A65 155

Internet Access to State Jury Instructions

Most states have official jury instructions, and many states post their jury instructions online on state court websites. In addition, commercial databases include state jury instructions. Fastcase includes some states' jury instructions, including Wisconsin's, in its database. Jury instructions for many states are available on Bloomberg Law, Lexis, and Westlaw (access to these databases is restricted to faculty and students of Marquette University Law School through individual usernames and passwords).

Federal

Federal Jury Practice and Instructions Location: KF 8984.D41

Accompanied by inter alia:

Pattern Jury Instructions (criminal cases) (first circuit)
Location: KF 8984.D4211

Model Jury Instructions (civil cases)(third circuit)
Location: KF8984.D4212

Model Jury Instructions (criminal cases) (third circuit)
Location: KF8984 .D4214

Pattern Jury Instructions (civil cases) (fifth circuit)
Location: KF 8984.D4214

Pattern Jury Instructions (criminal cases) (fifth circuit)
Location: KF 8984.D4213

Pattern Criminal Jury Instructions (sixth circuit)
Location: KF 8984.D4215

Federal Jury Instructions (criminal cases) (seventh circuit)
Location: KF 8984.D4

Model Jury Instructions (civil cases) (eighth circuit)
Location: KF 8984.D4232

Model Jury Instructions (criminal cases) (eighth circuit)
Location: KF 8984.D4231

Model Jury Instructions (civil cases) (ninth circuit)
Location: KF 8984.D4234

Model Jury Instructions (criminal cases) (ninth circuit)
Location: KF 8984.D4233

Pattern Jury Instructions (criminal cases) (tenth circuit)
Location: KF8984 .D42345

Pattern Jury Instructions (civil cases) (eleventh circuit)
Location: KF 8984.D4236

Pattern Jury Instructions (criminal cases) (eleventh circuit)
Location: KF 8984.D4235

Modern Federal Jury Instructions: Criminal
Location: KF 8984.A65 M64

 

Modern Federal Jury Instructions: Civil
Location: KF 8984.A65 M64

Internet Access to Federal Jury Instructions

Some district courts and federal circuit court instructions can be accessed online at:

First Circuit:
Civil
Criminal

Third Circuit:
Civil and Criminal

Fifth Circuit:
Civil and Criminal

Sixth Circuit:
Criminal (civil not available)

Seventh Circuit:
Civil and Criminal

Eighth Circuit:
Civil and Criminal

Ninth Circuit:
Civil
Criminal

Tenth Circuit:
Criminal (civil not available)

Eleventh Circuit:
Civil
Criminal

Topical

• Federal Employment Jury Instructions
  Location: KF 8984.A65 M363
• Jury Instructions on Products Liability
  Location: KF 8984.D685 
• Sample Jury Instructions in Civil Antitrust Cases
  Location: KF 8984.A16 S25
• Jury Instructions on Medical Issues
  Location: KF 8984.A65 A4

02/2010